Mary Poppins songwriter Robert Sherman passes away

Updated On: Sep 14, 2018

Robert Sherman, one of the most accomplished songwriters for the Disney brand, has passed away at the age of 86 in London. He wrote many famous songs, including It’s a Small World,” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

Along with his brother, Richard, Sherman was responsible for so many songs that now instantly evoke a classic era of Disney — Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Parent Trap, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the most played song, written for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, “It’s a Small World”. The Sherman Brothers also worked on non-Disney films, including Charlotte’s Web, Snoopy, Come Home, and the Tony-nominated Broadway musical Over Here! Their work for Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang were also adapted for the stage.

Both brothers were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and boast two Academy Awards for their work on Mary Poppins — Best Original Song (“Chim Chim Cher-ee”) and Best Original Score. They received nominations for several other movies, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and The Slipper and the Rose. The brothers also received their star on the Walk of Fame in 1976.

Sherman’s son, Jeffrey, posted the announcement of his father’s death on Facebook and wrote the following:

My Dad, Robert B. Sherman, passed away tonight in London. He went peacefully after months of truly valiantly fending off death. He loved life and his dear heart finally slowed to a stop when he could fight no more.I will write more about this incredible man I love and admire so much when I am better rested and composed. He deserves that.In the meantime, please say a prayer for him. As he said, he wanted to bring happiness to the world and, unquestionably, he succeeded. His love and his prayers, his philosophy and his poetry will live on forever. Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world.

One thing we can say today, while we mourn Sherman’s passing is this: “Oh, that’s how you spell ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’!” And that should make everyone’s day just a little bit brighter. Thank you, Robert Sherman!

(via The Mary Sue and The Hollywood Reporter, additional information taken from Wikipedia)

The Lion King

Book Disney's The Lion King tickets today with LOVEtheatre and don’t miss this award-winning musical at London’s Lyceum Theatre.Set against the majesty of the...